The Los Angeles Chargers really whooped the Steelers last Sunday. Can they do the same to the Jaguars in Week 11, the team that beat them a couple of times in 2022, including in one very important playoff game?
Here are some things to watch for:
How The Chargers’ Pass Rush Slows Down Jags Quarterback Trevor Lawrence
Though Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been sacked quite a bit this year, so has Lawrence. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Lawrence has already been sacked 26 times, and five of those were against the Texans last week.
The Chargers’ pass rush didn’t give Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers a lot of breathing room on Sunday night, and their plan of attack should be similar against the Jags. Edge Khalil Mack showed relentless aggression to get to Rodgers. And the same went for edge Tuli Tuipulotu, who took down Rodgers in the third quarter.
Lawrence struggled last week to stay on his feet, and this Chargers team has all the playmakers to bring the heat.
What The Chargers’ Run Defense Does Against Jags Running Back Travis Etienne Jr.
Similar to Titans running back Tony Pollard, Etienne hasn’t quite reached the height of his play in past years. In 2025, he’s only had three rushing touchdowns, one receiving, and has reached triple-digit rushing yards twice so far.
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But Etienne does carry a reputation with this Chargers squad, especially for those who have been on the team since 2022, when Etienne was responsible for the first down after the fourth-and-1 play during the fourth quarter of the Wild Card game, to lead the Jags to a field goal and beat the Chargers 31-30.
The same energy that was brought on Sunday night against the Steelers, the hard tackling in the run game from players like linebacker Denzel Perryman, will be needed in high supply to stop Etienne from taking over.
How the Chargers Respond To A Team That Killed Their Dreams In 2022
The Chargers allowed the Jags four touchdowns the first time they met in Week 3 of 2022, and three different Jags’ wide receivers scored during that game. But the Wild Card matchup that year was the epitome of “Chargering.”
It started out promising. Former Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. had three interceptions in the first half, while players like former Chargers safety Alohi Gilman and cornerback Bryce Callahan were helping to contain former Jags wide receiver Christian Kirk.
But the Jags got into a rhythm, and the Chargers lost theirs and eventually the game slipped away.
Players left from that Chargers 2022 team will need to be on their A game if they want their revenge narrative to go the right way.
Whether The Chargers’ Offense Can Be More In Sync
Despite being sacked five times, Herbert had a good game against the Steelers, completing over 200 passing yards and 19 rushing yards. He didn’t have any interceptions, despite a near one in the first quarter, and overall his completion percentage was 60.6%.
But pass protection was an issue. And on top of the quarterback pressure, the Steelers’ receiver coverage was really tight to wide receivers Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, so there were some missed connections.
Now the Jags don’t have the reputation of the Steelers’ defense, but defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker each have two sacks, while defensive lineman Arik Armstead leads the team with 4.5. And cornerback Jourdan Lewis is currently on pace to beat his number of passes defended for 2024 (eight).
It’s not clear yet if he will play this week, as he was out the previous one with a neck injury. Overall, the offense will need to take every opportunity they can get, while hopefully the sack number for Hebert declines, perhaps with a replacement at one of the tackle positions.
If Linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips Has Reached A Turning Point On Special Teams
Phillips had a moment on Sunday when, a few drives before the end of the fourth, Steelers’ wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams signaled for a fair catch on a punt return, and he muffed it. Phillips scooped it up, giving the Chargers possession, which eventually led to a field goal.
Now, this is the kind of play that was expected of someone who was specifically acquired for his special teams skills in the offseason. And Phillips has been consistently playing special teams for several games now, but this is one of his first big standout moments.
Perhaps it’s a signal of what’s to come, and more of these types of plays will start to materialize.